The Royal Hospital for Children (RHC) in Glasgow has treated six children over the past eight months for burns linked to a social media trend involving heating 'squishy' toys in the microwave. Some of the young patients required surgery, including skin grafts, due to the severity of their injuries.
The toys, typically soft and pliable, are being heated to increase malleability. However, medical experts warn that microwaving them causes pressure to build up, leading to explosions that release scalding hot gel. This gel adheres to the skin, causing deep burns that are difficult to treat.
Case Study: Eight-Year-Old Joseph Erskine
Joseph Erskine, eight, from Clackmannanshire, suffered burns to his chest and hand in May after a heated squishy toy burst. He required weeks of treatment and a skin graft, where skin was taken from his thigh and applied to his chest. His mother, Stephanie Ewing, recounted: "My husband and I were home... when Joseph came in holding a towel to his face. He had already wiped off the burning gel which had also taken off his skin. He was saying that his squishy burnt him."
Ewing explained that Joseph had seen the trend online and used the microwave without their knowledge. She urged parents to discuss the dangers with their children, adding: "Joseph's burn wouldn't heal on its own and required a graft. He is normally such an active and sporty child... but all of that is on hold until he heals." Joseph must also avoid direct sunlight on the grafted area for two years, which his mother described as "tricky over the summer months."
Case Study: 11-Year-Old Scarlet Rowe
Scarlet Rowe, 11, from Irvine, North Ayrshire, was treated for burns to her face and eyelid after a similar incident in May. Her mother, Gina, said: "We didn't realise what had happened at first, it just looked like slime on her face. It was only after a few minutes we realised it had been heated and was burning her skin."
Although no graft was required, the burn was close to her eye, and Gina noted: "The swelling was so bad that we weren't sure what the outcome would be. These toys are very popular and easy to buy, but we had no idea about the risks. I'd strongly advise parents to be vigilant."
Medical Warnings and Long-Term Impact
Sharon Ramsay, a burns nurse at RHC, stated: "Unfortunately, we are seeing a growing number of children with preventable injuries linked to this trend. When these toys are heated, the contents can explode and stick to the skin, causing deep burns." She emphasised that injuries can be very serious, requiring long-term treatment, surgery, and rehabilitation, and may result in permanent scarring.
The Scottish National Burns Centre, operating within NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, has highlighted that recovery from such burns can take weeks or months, with ongoing care including dressings, physiotherapy, and scar management. Health professionals strongly urge parents and carers to speak to their children about the risks and monitor online trends.
